October 6, 2024, 87, Goldsboro —
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died. In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still. In our hearts, you hold a place that no one could ever fill. It broke our hearts to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. For part of us went with you, the day God took you home.
Author unknown
It is with great sadness that the family of Joyce “Tootsie” Summerlin Vinson announces the passing of one of the sweetest people to ever walk this earth.
On October 6th, 2024 Joyce “Tootsie” Vinson took her last sweet breath on this earth and took her first breath in heaven at 9:45 P.M. surrounded by her family in the comfort of her own home.
Joyce “Tootsie” Summerlin was born in Goldsboro, NC. She was the sixth child of Sallie Neal and David Conard Summerlin. Joyce graduated from Goldsboro High School, class of 1955 later attending Wayne Community College.
Joyce was married to George Rose Vinson on December 28th, 1954. They shared 46 years of marriage that was full of love and during their marriage, they shared a lot of good times and fun trips with family and friends. He went on to heaven before her to be ready to welcome her, when her time came. The greatest title she ever held in life was Mother, to her beautiful four children. They in turn blessed them with 6 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
She was the proud mother of George Rose Vinson Jr., his companion, Judy Best, Roger Bryant Vinson and his wife, Beth Vinson, Betsy “Sherry” Sharon Vinson, and William ‘Woody” Vinson and his wife, Carol Vinson. She loved her 6 grandchildren very dearly and she catered to all of them, Jessica Best, Bud Vinson and his wife, Suzanne, Danielle Vinson Pait and her husband, Kaleb, Kelly Holland, Cameron Anderson, Tennille Vinson Walker and her husband, Steven, April Vinson Lenker and her husband, Jon.
More than her grandkids her 18 great-grandchildren held a very very special place in her heart. She loved anytime they came by for a visit no matter if it was a long one or a short one. Katy Murray; Rhett and Sadie Vinson; Wyatt, Walker, Wrenleigh, Wriley Pait; Hunter Grant, Kaisley and Carlin Holland, Alyssa, and Skylar Anderson; Braxton and Austin Lewis; Emerson, M.J., Avery, Keller Lenker.
Joyce was from a large family and all her brothers and sisters have also gone on to heaven to wait for her arrival. Ellen Smith and husband, James, Franklin Summerlin and his wife, Alice, Juanita Butts and husband, Fred, David Carroll Summerlin and wife, Mary, Gene Summerlin and wife, Beverly, and George Summerlin and wife, Connie.
Also, many many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly and she was always very close with them all.
Joyce was very active in many organizations like the American Institute of Banking, she also served as President of the Wayne Chapter. American Business Women’s Association where she also served as President of the Wayne Chapter. She was also elected Woman of the Year and represented the chapter in Salt Lake City, Utah. She spent many of her working years employed by First Union Bank as head teller which is where she met a lot of her friends and they have remained that way throughout the years.
In 1980 Joyce and her husband George moved to Atlantic Beach as permanent residents. There they ran Atlantic Vinyl Siding and she was Co-Owner of Rental Resources and also Tootsie & Kris’s Cleaning Service for many years. Immediately after that, she got involved in community and political functions. Joyce was elected to the Board of Commissioners and served for eight years. She served four years on the Board of Adjustments and after the death of her husband, she was elected Mayor where she served two years. After 35 years she moved back to Goldsboro for health reasons and she attended United in Christ Church.
Over the years Joyce has had many accomplishments and awards but none as great as her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, her extended family, her church family, and her many many lifetime friends, and all her special friends and neighbors at New Hope Village many that came to sit and keep the conversation or brought food by.
Last but not least all the caregivers that have stayed with her over this last year to keep her in her own home and comfortable. The family wants to extend a special thank you to them; Ms. Bess Cloer, Jeanette Howell, Vicky Stafford, Hunter Grant, Kelly Holland, and Patsy Williams.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 9th from 6 to 7 P.M. at Seymour Funeral Home followed by a service to celebrate her life at 7 P.M. in the chapel. On Thursday, October 10th at 11 A.M. she will be laid in her final resting place in the Vinson Family Cemetery located at 206 Vinwood Avenue Goldsboro, NC 27534.
